Objective of the Game
The goal of Patchwork is to arrange patches on your personal game board as efficiently as possible to have the fewest empty spaces and earn the most buttons by the end of the game. Buttons serve as both the currency during the game and your victory points at the end.
Components
- 1 Time Board
- 2 Quilt Boards (one for each player)
- 33 Various shaped patches
- 1 Neutral Token
- 1 Central Tile (Starting position for patches)
- 1 Patchwork Guide Tile
- 50 Buttons (currency in the game)
- 2 Time Markers
Setup
- Place the Time Board at the center of the table.
- The players' Time Markers are set at the start position.
- All patches are placed randomly around the Time Board.
- The Neutral Token is placed clockwise from the smallest piece.
- Each player takes a Quilt Board and starts with five Buttons.
Gameflow
The game is played over successive turns. The player whose Time Marker is furthest back on the Time Board or on top goes first. If both players have their Time Markers on the same space, the player whose marker is on top takes their turn.
Each turn offers two options:
- Advance and receive buttons
- Move your Time Marker to the space immediately ahead of your opponent.
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Receive one button per space moved.
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Purchase a patch and place it
- Choose one of the three patches available clockwise from the Neutral Token.
- Pay the button cost of the patch.
- Move the Neutral Token to the chosen patch’s position.
- Move your Time Marker the number of spaces indicated on the patch.
- Immediately place the patch on your Quilt Board.
- Patch Placement: Ensure no overlapping occurs. Rotating and flipping patches is allowed.
Note: Upon reaching or crossing a button icon on the Time Board, you receive an immediate payout of buttons for those shown on the patches placed on your quilt board.
End of the Game
The game concludes when both players have reached or passed the last space on the Time Board.
Scoring
- Button Points: Count the buttons you possess.
- Penalty Points for Empty Spaces: Each empty space on your Quilt Board counts as -2 points.
- The player with the highest total score wins the game.
Strategic Considerations
- Patch Arrangement Planning: Aim to minimize gaps on your board as each empty space subtracts points.
- Button Management: Ensure you have enough buttons to purchase crucial patches in later turns.
- Time and Patch Selection: The decision of when to purchase which patch or how to advance plays a significant role in the outcome of the game.
Patchwork is a strategic yet accessible game that requires both logical and creative thinking.
